ALPAC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

310Milwaukee Blvd North

Pacific, Washington 98047-1122

Phone: (253) 931-4976

Student Handbook 2015-16

WELCOME TO ALPAC

You are part of the Alpac All-Star "learning community.” Our community is made up of over five hundred students, and over fifty staff members. In order for everyone to get along in a community, the community has a set of rules and expectations that the members follow. By reading this handbook, you will know how our Alpac community works and what behavior we expect from each All-Star student.

ALPAC ELEMENTARY STAFF MISSION STATEMENT

To educate all students in a supportive and positive environment, so they reach their full potential. All adults are collaboratively working together using best practices to reach all levels of learners

.

ALPAC ELEMENTARY STUDENT MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission is to be Active Learners with Positive attitudes, Achieving excellence in a Caring Community

Please take time to share this handbook with your parents so they also understand our expectations and procedures. Please return this front page with your signature and parent’s signature to indicate that you and your parents have read and understand the student handbook.

I have read the student handbook and have had an opportunity to ask questions.

Student’s Name ______Student signature ______

Parent signature ______

Please return this page of your Student Handbook to your classroom teacher

by September 12th

ALPAC STUDENT EXPECTATIONS

Keys to Success at ALPAC Elementary School

Active Learner

Be responsible, independent workers
Keep hands, feet, and objects in your space

Listen to understand

Ask for help

Cooperate by following all school rules
& directions of adults
Learn and follow individual classroom
rules & procedures

Positive Attitude

Include others in games and play

Cooperate by following all school rules

Cooperate by following the directions of adults

Use kind words

Treat others as you would like to be treated

Smile

Achieving Excellence
Be honest and courteous

Do your best work

Be prepared for learning

Complete and return all homework

Complete class work

Use your manners

Be Here On Time

Caring Community Member

Walk quietly directly to and from all
activities without touching the walls.
Take care of equipment and school property

Play in designated areas at recess

Follow the rules for games and activities

No rough play or appearance of rough play

Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself

Do not bully others

Do not disrupt others

ABC GUIDE to Alpac

ARRIVAL TO SCHOOL – When students arrive at school, they are to line up by the exterior classroom door and the teacher will let them into the building at 9:00 am. Students will wait quietly in line until the classroom door is opened. Breakfast students will go directly to the breakfast line entering the building at the door by the gym and exiting through the front door. Breakfast begins serving at 8:40 am and ends at 9:10 am. Late arriving students, after 9:10 am, must report to the office for a tardy slip. Students arriving late are missing out on valuable instruction time.

ATTENDANCE - The 1995 legislature passed the BECCA Bill requiring that all students age 8 through graduation attend school and that the school documents all absences.

The law requires that school officials send a letter advising you the specifics of the truancy law after two (2) “unexcused” absences. If a student accumulates five (5) unexcused absences in a month, or ten (10) in a semester, a petition with the juvenile court must be filed. Therefore, we ask that you notify us by calling to leave a message, or send a note to school with your child upon his/her return. By doing this you have “excused” your child’s absence. If we do not hear from you, the absence will be considered “unexcused”.

Please use the following procedure to inform the school of your child’s absence: Call Alpacat (253) 931-4976 or email us at and leave a brief message if your child will be late or not attending school. Leave the following information:

  • Student’s name and teacher name.
  • Date and reason for the absence – (illness, appointment.)

If your child is absent and no message is left for the school, the district automated system will call your home. These automated phone calls are made quickly in the morning so please call the school before 9:30 am to report your child’s absence.

BREAKFAST INFORMATION -Breakfast will be served daily starting at 8:40 AM & ends at 9:10 AM. (PLC Mondays-9:40-10:10 AM) Students will pick up their breakfast in the kitchen and eat in their classrooms. Students getting breakfast need to come to the breakfast line before going to the classroom. Students need to enter through the door by the gym and exit through the front doors

The following price schedule will be in effect:

Breakfast Pricing: / K-12
$1.25 / Breakfast free to
Free and Reduced price students.

Birthday Celebrations – If you choose to celebrate your student’s birthday at school please contact your student’s teacher. All food items must be store bought and in its original packaging. We ask that families consider healthy choices or nonfood items to share.

Bus Transportation – Auburn School District Transportation Department provides bus transportation for students of the Auburn School District. Students are to follow the bus rules, you can review the rules at: Students with bus transportation should ride the bus! Find my bus route directions: Go to the website listed below and log-in with the username and password provided. Send the information with your child on the first day of school.

Web address:

User name: guest

Password: guest

If your area has bus transportation - PLEASE ride the bus!!!!

Bicycles– Only students living in the walking area for school may ride their bike to school. Students who will be riding a bike must have written parental permission on file and must first meet with the Principal. Students must show their helmet to the Principal and wear the helmet. Upon arriving at school, students will immediately park their bike in the designated areas and follow arrival procedures.

Cell Phones with Students – Many students have cell phones at school. Please remind your child not to use the cell phone at school and the cell phone should be turned off. Cell phones that are visible during the school day will be collected and held in the office. Continued use or display of cell phones may result in school discipline.

Change in Transportation Routine – We must be notified in advance of exceptions to a student’s regular transportation routine. For the safety of the student, if the school does not receive a note from a parent the student will be sent home per his/her usual routine.

COMMUNICATION - Open communication is important to us. We encourage parents to call or stop by the office at any time if questions or concerns arise regarding student progress, curriculum, discipline, or any other school related issue. If you have a student concern that you would like to discuss with your child’s teacher, please set up an appointment with the teacher by calling the school. The teacher will return your call at his/her earliest opportunity.

DISMISSAL AT THE END OF THE DAY - Students will go directly from class to the bus loading area. Students are always to go home by their everyday routine unless they bring a parent note stating otherwise. Bus passes are not a last minute item. Students waiting for rides are to wait at the student loading zone area in front of the building.

Dress Code for Auburn School District

  • Clothing and/or accessories displaying reference to alcohol, tobacco or drugs, or clothing displaying profane, vulgar, discriminatory or sexual language or pictures shall not be worn.
  • Apparel, accessories, or manner of grooming, which indicates gang affiliation or promotion, is not allowed. This includes bandanas.
  • Hats, including hoods, shall not be worn in the school building during the school day, unless it is directly connected to a school “spirit day”.
  • Attire that exposes the torso, i.e., halter-tops tank tops, see-through clothing, and clothing that does not cover undergarments, is not appropriate school wear. Pants will be worn at waist level even if a shirt covers the body.
  • Jewelry and other accessories or clothing that may present a safety hazard or danger to self or others shall not be worn. This includes wallet chains and spiked accessories.
  • Spandex clothing worn as outerwear is not permitted during the instructional day.
  • Shorts, skorts, and skirts must be fingertip in length and hemmed.
  • Shirts or blouses must be free from holes and pants must not be cut or have holes above mid thigh.
  • Dress and/or appearance that cause interference with work, or create a classroom or school disruption, will not be permitted.
  • Toys, gaming devices, electronic devices, and other items not directly related to the classroom’s educational program are not permitted at school

Early Dismissal – Please send a note to the teacher letting him/her know the student will be leaving early. When it is time to pick up your student, come to the office to sign them out of the building. Even though you send a note to school with your student, he/she will not be sent to the office until you arrive. You will need to show ID every time you check your student out early. While you are signing the student out, the secretary will call the student to the office. A pattern of early dismissal negatively impacts student performance and learning. Teaching continues until the bell rings at 3:40 pm. Early dismissals should be limited to medical appointments.

Check out Procedures in the Event of an Emergency

  • Parents are to report to the checkout table. They are not to pick up their children without first stopping at the checkout table.
  • If students are evacuated, the checkout table will be at the Command Center by the outside gym doors
  • If students are evacuated for a short period of time and returned to the building, the checkout table will then be at the Command Center at the front of the building.
  • A designated runner will go from the checkout table to the classroom area on the playground or to the classroom.
  • The student will return with the runner to the checkout table to meet their parent.
  • Parents will check students out by signing and showing I.D. at the checkout table when their child returns with the runner.

Head Lice - In efforts to control the spread of lice among classmates, students will not be admitted to school with any visible sign of lice or lice eggs (nits). If evidence of lice is discovered while the student is at school, a parent will be called to pick up your child. Students may return to school when they have been properly treated for the lice condition, and the student has passed a head check by the school nurse/health tech.

Health Screening – Vision, hearing, and dental screenings are done at school. Parents are advised if the results show a need for additional follow up from your physician. Screening for scoliosis (curvature of the spine) is done in fifth grade.

HOMEWORK - Education is a lifelong process, which extends beyond the school. Students must recognize that learning occurs in the home and community as well as in the classroom. Homework reinforces classroom instruction. Students who engage in homework on a regular basis can increase understanding. Homework is defined as tasks performed by a student after school hours.

Homework may be assigned for one or more of the following purposes:

  1. To study, review, or practice those skills or concepts previously taught.
  2. To complete assigned work not finished in class or missed due to absence.
  3. To extend or transfer a skill or concept to a new situation.
  4. To use skills or concepts creatively.

Students that have not completed homework may be assigned to Lunch to Learn recess intervention for 15 minutes of the 30 minute recess time. Staff members supervise and assist the students in completing their school work. Repeated failure to meet timelines for school work completion may result in detention.

Homework for students that have been absent for three or more days may be requested by parents. Please provide 24 hours notice prior to pick up time.

Illness AT SCHOOL – If your child is ill to the extent that it will be difficult for him/her to participate in the activities of a normal school day, including recess, it is best to keep the child home. Children cannot spend the entire school day in the health room. In the event that your child is identified at school as having an infectious illness, you will be called to pick up your child.

Immunization – Washington State law requires that all students must be immunized against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus (DPT) polio, measles, and rubella, chickenpox and mumps. All required immunizations will be verified by office personnel.

LATE ARRIVAL – Tardiness is another form of poor attendance. Please help your child be responsible for getting to school on time. Students who arrive after 9:10 am must check in at the office for an admit slip before going to class. Students with a repeated pattern of late arrival to school may be assigned Lunch Detention. Checking in at the office for late arriving students is a requirement for attendance purposes.

LUNCH INFORMATION- The kitchen will be in operation on opening day. The following price schedule will be in effect:Any student who does not have a lunch will be offered cheese on bread. Monthly Menus will be posted on . For convenience it is recommended that parents purchase 10 or more lunches at a time. Click here to view instructions for making online payments with RevTrack through Skyward Family Access.If your family meets income requirements, you may qualify for free or reduced prices for lunch and breakfast. Parents/Guardians will need their Skyward Family Access Login and password in order to apply for free/reduced price school meals online. If you do not have your Family Access login information please check at the main office and they can assist you/.

Student Lunch Pricing: / Elementary
$2.75 / Milk Only .50 / Qualified Reduced .40
Adults/Guests / S3.75

Medication – Students may not bring medication to school, including any type of over-the-counter medicine. We are unable to give any medication to a student at school without a written request from a parent and a doctor or dentist. This applies to all over-the-counter medications such as cough drops, as well as, prescription medication. Inhalers are categorized as medication and will require written instruction. Medication authorization forms are available in the school office. Students may not bring medication to school.

Money and Valuables – Because of the danger of loss, students are requested not to bring more money to school than is needed during the school day. Valuable jewelry, expensive cameras, cell phones, electronic devices, and “toys” are not to be brought to school. Personal items of any kind are brought to school at the student’s own risk of damage or loss.

No Bully Zone – Because of the long term impact of Bullying we have declared Alpac as a No Bully Zone. We want all students to feel safe and secure and we will adhere to the following:

-We do not bully others.

-We help students who are bullied.

-We include students who feel left out.

-We tell an adult at school and at home when anyone is being bullied.

Playground Rules

  1. Be courteous, use common sense, and be a good sport.
  2. Always listen to the playground supervisors. We tell an adult at school and home when somebody is being bullied.
  3. We help students and include students who are feeling left out.
  4. Follow game rules and equipment rules.
  5. Use school equipment only; do not bring toys, balls, or electronic devices from home.
  6. No activities that involve tripping, pushing, tackling, pulling clothing or any other rough play.
  7. Take turns in lines; no “cuts”.
  8. Play away from classrooms doors.
  9. Use the bathroom before going out to recess. Students re-entering the building must have a bathroom or drinkpass.

Stay within playground boundaries during all recess times: blacktop, play shed, and grassy field. Off limit areas = Don’t play in these areas

  • Classroom outside doors on sidewalks.
  • Any area outside of the fence or parking lot railings
  • Parking Lot

There are many recess games that are available to Alpac students. These are taught in PE.

Phone Numbers UPDATES – If you change your home, cell or emergency phone numbers remember to call our school office and let us know. It is important in the case of an emergency that we have accurate phone numbers to contact you.

Private Vehicles & Daycare Pick-up – If students are driven to school they must be dropped off in front of the building in the student loading zone beyond the crosswalk. Do not stop or drop off by the classroom wings. Students go directly to their exterior classroom door. When students are dismissed, parents may park in parking stalls and walk to the student pick up zone to escort children to the car or join the “loop” and students will be dismissed as their car arrives at the student loading zone.Students will not walk through the parking lot to a waiting car without their parent with them. No private vehicles should enter the bus zone at the side of the school at any time.

STUDENT RECOGNITION PROGRAMS

Weekly STARRS student – Students receive STARRS tickets for demonstrating being respectful, responsible or safe. Students will turn in the slip to their classroom or the office bucket. Each class holds a weekly drawing. Winners get to sign the principal’s Star Wall and have their name announced on Monday morning announcements.